Once a month I will be interviewing someone with the career of their dreams to find out exactly how they scored such a sweet job!
This month's lucky lady is Surf Lifestyle Photographer Mikala Wilbow.
How did you get into your profession?
It all started out as a hobby in high school I was one of those girls running around with a camera in hand capturing everything and anything. From there it grew into a passion and then an obsession.
Once I got to that point I decided to immerse myself into the photography industry by looking for a job. I landed a job at a wedding photography studio in north sydney and from there I learnt so much. I merged my love for the surf and photography and became a surf lifestyle photographer which I started pursuing 5 years ago and have not looked back.
Once I got to that point I decided to immerse myself into the photography industry by looking for a job. I landed a job at a wedding photography studio in north sydney and from there I learnt so much. I merged my love for the surf and photography and became a surf lifestyle photographer which I started pursuing 5 years ago and have not looked back.
What has been your career highlight so far?
My career highlight so far would be snapping a shot of Kelly slater free surfing out in the water at snapper rocks recently. A simple photo but just reminds me that nothing is impossible. Even capturing a photo of the worlds best surfer. An opportunity that doesn't come around too often.
My career highlight so far would be snapping a shot of Kelly slater free surfing out in the water at snapper rocks recently. A simple photo but just reminds me that nothing is impossible. Even capturing a photo of the worlds best surfer. An opportunity that doesn't come around too often.
Did you always want to be a photographer?
Since late high school I knew that I wanted to become a Photographer. I feel so lucky that I knew from such a young age as it has been a long but rewarding journey.
Since late high school I knew that I wanted to become a Photographer. I feel so lucky that I knew from such a young age as it has been a long but rewarding journey.
Where has been your favourite travel destination and why?
It would have to be the Maldives on the all girl's surf trip I photographed with 'The perfect wave'. I love to be able to document and capture the surfing lifestyle and in such a beautiful place. I am yet to explore a lot more surf destinations and I'm heading back to the Maldives this year for another exciting trip.
It would have to be the Maldives on the all girl's surf trip I photographed with 'The perfect wave'. I love to be able to document and capture the surfing lifestyle and in such a beautiful place. I am yet to explore a lot more surf destinations and I'm heading back to the Maldives this year for another exciting trip.
What was the best advice you have ever been given?
Wow, so many things ran through my head just then. Unfortunately I got a lot of negative feedback along the way from "choose another occupation" to "you'll never make it as a Photographer" "the industry is too hard to make money" etc. The only thing that kept me going was my determination to do what i wanted to do and maybe prove everyone wrong, i dunno, but the best advice i was given would have been from my Aunty who is a Graphic Designer. She told me in High School to photograph everything, textures, colours, patterns, light and that camera time was the most important thing.
I thought that was pretty boring to be honest, but I did it and I can see the importance in it now and how much it taught me.
What is a saying that you live by?
Dance as though no one is watching you, Love as though you have never been hurt before, Sing as though no one can hear you, Live is though heaven is on earth.
It reminds me to make the most of every opportunity and not let the little things in life get in the way. Life is short and you just need to do what makes you happy and enjoy the journey!
It reminds me to make the most of every opportunity and not let the little things in life get in the way. Life is short and you just need to do what makes you happy and enjoy the journey!
Who is your role model?My grandma is my role model. She lived an extraordinary life and she inspires me to do amazing things.
What do you do in your downtime to relax?
I surf or go for a run. I find that if I am out of the water for too long I start to get really unsettled and feel like a fish out of water.
Do you have a favorite photo? Which one?
It keeps changing as i shoot more and more, but there is this one photo I got in Bali back in 2008 on an 'All girls' surf trip. It was taken at sunrise in this gorgeous hidden forest of my surfer girl friend. It sums up my whole style as a Photographer and was the photo that started it all for me as it got me my first big job.
What are your future goals?
My future goal is to continue the direction I am travelling and establish myself as a Surf Lifestyle Photographer. I would love to own a Surf Art Photo Gallery Cafe in the near future.
My future goal is to continue the direction I am travelling and establish myself as a Surf Lifestyle Photographer. I would love to own a Surf Art Photo Gallery Cafe in the near future.
If there was one place/person you could photograph who/where would it be?
I would love to photograph an "All Pro Girls Surf Trip" with todays best surfer girl's.
I would love to photograph an "All Pro Girls Surf Trip" with todays best surfer girl's.
What is one piece of advice for someone looking to get into this industry?
Determination is the key!
Best/Worst part of your job?
Worst part of my job would be the harsh elements I'm always in the sun and I am so conscious of the damage the sun does to your body. I go through that much zinc and sunscreen its ridiculous.
The best part of my job would be the people I meet and wonderful places I get to travel to and photograph.
To check out more of Mikala's amazing photography go to her website: http://mikalawilbow.com/
For your chance to win one of Mikala's STUNNING calendars simply share this story on Facebook and like the "High Heels and Hangovers" facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/highheelsandhangoversblog
Determination is the key!
Best/Worst part of your job?
Worst part of my job would be the harsh elements I'm always in the sun and I am so conscious of the damage the sun does to your body. I go through that much zinc and sunscreen its ridiculous.
The best part of my job would be the people I meet and wonderful places I get to travel to and photograph.
To check out more of Mikala's amazing photography go to her website: http://mikalawilbow.com/
For your chance to win one of Mikala's STUNNING calendars simply share this story on Facebook and like the "High Heels and Hangovers" facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/highheelsandhangoversblog
No comments:
Post a Comment